Smallpeice Trust Electronic Engineering Course Causes Buzz Amongst Teenagers
From 26th June to 29th June, sixty eight teenagers from across the UK enjoyed a unique learning experience at the University of Portsmouth with an electronic engineering course from the Smallpeice Trust.
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, July 13, 2012 --(PR.com)-- From 26th June to 29th June, sixty eight teenagers from across the UK enjoyed a unique learning experience at the University of Portsmouth.
Sponsored by the University of Portsmouth, this 4-day residential course gave students a valuable insight into the field of electronic engineering. During the course the 14 and 15 year olds students took part in ‘solder-and-keep’ workshops and gained hands-on experience of electronics by designing and building circuits with immediately visible results.
Students were also given first-hand experience of the electronics department giving them an idea of the specialist equipment and resources available at the University. Engineers from GCHQ and QinetiQ supported the event, leading various hands-on activities while also providing students with information about possible career paths.
The main objective of the course was to inspire and encourage young students to consider a career in electronics. The content had both practical and theoretical elements. Innovative thinking, presentation skills and planning were an integral part of the course – key skills that students don’t often get chance to explore fully in their school environment.
As well as working on the design, build and test elements of the projects, they developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, time management, finance and presentation. Social activities included a movie night, bowling and a formal course dinner and disco.
Nick Savage, Principal Lecturer/Admissions Tutor for the Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering commented, "It has been great to work with educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and to host this course at Portsmouth. Electronic engineering graduates are highly sought after, so to enthuse young people while they are still at school is absolutely crucial. I can't think of any better way of achieving this than having excellent representatives from companies such as QinetiQ and GCHQ involved in an interesting project like this. Electronic engineering is a thrilling subject and we really hope that after four days of learning hands-on skills, students will be encouraged to pursue this subject."
Spokesperson Gemma Murphy from The Smallpeice Trust added, “The students have had a fantastic week exploring the fascinating subject of electronic engineering through a series of hands-on workshops and presentations. Our continuing partnership with the University of Portsmouth has meant that students have gained an in-depth insight into the world of electronic engineering while exploring the varied career options available within this sector.”
The Electronic Engineering course is run by independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 18,175 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2013 will be launched in the autumn school term. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.
Notes to editors:
Word count: 498
The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.
The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust to ensure that British industry could continuously benefit from his proven design and engineering philosophies: “Simplicity in design, economy in production.”
The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies.
In the past academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 18,175 young people through 37 different subsidised 4-day residential courses and 1-day in-school STEM Days. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 674 teachers to enhance their delivery of STEM in the classroom.
A strong interface is maintained with industry, education and professional bodies that help to support, promote and develop the courses. Through these relationships the Trust is also able to provide a number of tailored or specialised courses.
For more information about The Smallpeice Trust visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Sponsored by the University of Portsmouth, this 4-day residential course gave students a valuable insight into the field of electronic engineering. During the course the 14 and 15 year olds students took part in ‘solder-and-keep’ workshops and gained hands-on experience of electronics by designing and building circuits with immediately visible results.
Students were also given first-hand experience of the electronics department giving them an idea of the specialist equipment and resources available at the University. Engineers from GCHQ and QinetiQ supported the event, leading various hands-on activities while also providing students with information about possible career paths.
The main objective of the course was to inspire and encourage young students to consider a career in electronics. The content had both practical and theoretical elements. Innovative thinking, presentation skills and planning were an integral part of the course – key skills that students don’t often get chance to explore fully in their school environment.
As well as working on the design, build and test elements of the projects, they developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, time management, finance and presentation. Social activities included a movie night, bowling and a formal course dinner and disco.
Nick Savage, Principal Lecturer/Admissions Tutor for the Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering commented, "It has been great to work with educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and to host this course at Portsmouth. Electronic engineering graduates are highly sought after, so to enthuse young people while they are still at school is absolutely crucial. I can't think of any better way of achieving this than having excellent representatives from companies such as QinetiQ and GCHQ involved in an interesting project like this. Electronic engineering is a thrilling subject and we really hope that after four days of learning hands-on skills, students will be encouraged to pursue this subject."
Spokesperson Gemma Murphy from The Smallpeice Trust added, “The students have had a fantastic week exploring the fascinating subject of electronic engineering through a series of hands-on workshops and presentations. Our continuing partnership with the University of Portsmouth has meant that students have gained an in-depth insight into the world of electronic engineering while exploring the varied career options available within this sector.”
The Electronic Engineering course is run by independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 18,175 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2013 will be launched in the autumn school term. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.
Notes to editors:
Word count: 498
The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.
The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust to ensure that British industry could continuously benefit from his proven design and engineering philosophies: “Simplicity in design, economy in production.”
The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies.
In the past academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 18,175 young people through 37 different subsidised 4-day residential courses and 1-day in-school STEM Days. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 674 teachers to enhance their delivery of STEM in the classroom.
A strong interface is maintained with industry, education and professional bodies that help to support, promote and develop the courses. Through these relationships the Trust is also able to provide a number of tailored or specialised courses.
For more information about The Smallpeice Trust visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
The Smallpeice Trust:
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
or contact:
Claire Fisher
Tel: 01926 333203
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
or contact:
Claire Fisher
Tel: 01926 333203
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
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